NFL Power Rankings: Buccaneers utterly disrespected entering preseason Week 1

It's almost like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven't won the past three NFC South titles.

Well, they can't do it without Tom Brady. Really? Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers a step further than Brady could in his final season.

Tampa Bay must have lost several key starters this offseason?

Wrong again. General manager Jason Licht found a way to retain Mayfield, Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Tristan Wirfs.

Sure, the Buccaneers won the NFC South with a 9-8 record last season. It was hardly the most challenging division in football, but they proved themselves with a resounding 32-9 playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles before giving the Detroit Lions a scare in the divisional round.

Despite this team's recent success with and without Brady, the national media refuses to give the Buccaneers any respect. The trend continued in preseason power rankings across the internet.

NFL continues to overlook Buccaneers in preseason power rankings

• NFL.com: 20th
• Sharp Football Analysis: 23rd
• Yahoo Sports: 20th

None of the above power rankings had Tampa Bay above the top 20.

Eric Edholm of NFL.com admitted to not giving Tampa Bay much respect with a concern for Mayfield's upside. Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports didn't show the Bucs much love, either.

The harshest criticism comes from Raymond Summerlin of Sharp Football Analysis, who ranked Tampa Bay 23rd.

"The Falcons are a lot better than they were in 2023, and the Bucs do not seem to be even without considering some possible regression for Mayfield," writes Summerlin.

Tampa Bay can take a step forward. It retained the core that made the playoffs last season while adding potential starters in the draft. Graham Barton has the chance to become the Buccaneers' starting center from Day 1, Jalen McMillan can quickly become the WR3, and Tykee Smith could start in the slot.

Did the Falcons improve? Absolutely. However, they have a new quarterback and system, and Kirk Cousins is recovering from a torn Achilles. Nothing is guaranteed. The Buccaneers have continuity and built on a roster that reached the NFC's final four in January.

It's nothing new for this team. Tampa Bay will silence its critics again in 2024.

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